The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued an advisory to schools across India, urging students and parents to verify the recognition status of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to avoid falling victim to fake universities, especially as the admission process for the 2026–27 academic session begins.
In a circular dated January 13, 2026, CBSE directed principals and heads of all affiliated schools to actively share the advisory with students of Classes X and XII and their parents. The move follows a communication from the University Grants Commission (UGC), which regularly updates a list of fake and unrecognised universities on its official website.
CBSE highlighted that enrolling in self-styled or unrecognised institutions can seriously jeopardise students’ academic and professional futures. To prevent such risks, schools have been instructed to counsel students and parents on the importance of checking an institution’s recognition status through the UGC portal under the “HEIs” section before applying for admission.
Schools have also been asked to prominently display the advisory on notice boards, circulate it through official communication channels, upload it on school websites, and discuss it during Parent-Teacher Meetings. Students are specifically encouraged to seek admission only in UGC-recognised HEIs.
CBSE emphasised strict compliance with the advisory, noting that the initiative aims to protect students from fraudulent institutions and ensure informed decision-making during admissions. Copies of the advisory have also been forwarded to various educational authorities, including Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Sainik Schools Society, and state education departments for wider dissemination.
The Board reiterated that early awareness and verification are essential steps in safeguarding students’ interests as they transition from school to higher education.
